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Join The Urban Rez for an exciting journey that dives into the intersections of culture, sports, and lifestyle with a fresh, global, inclusive perspective. Each 30-minute episode brings a unique blend of conversations, stories, and interviews that explore the passions and experiences that define our lives.
Wesley Knight 0:00
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Music 1:02
a prank.
Marcus White 1:15
And good morning, everybody, happy New Year to you. Happy New Year to you. Today is really, really exciting. Doctor B, Happy New Year to you.
Dr. B 1:24
Happy to you, Mr. Wonderful Marcus, and to all of our wonderful listeners out there.
Marcus White 1:31
Oh boy. 2025 is going to be an awesome year. I'm very excited for it. And we have a great, great show for you. First, we're going to start off with spirituality. I mean, this show is just packed. We have some great people that we're going to have a discussion with, and so we're excited about that. Yes,
Dr. B 1:53
we wanted to really bring some insight on our 2025 perspective journeys, what that looks like, starting from the insights versus out. Awesome,
Marcus White 2:05
awesome. So without further ado, let me introduce this great man to you, Pastor, Ron, welcome, welcome, welcome. Glad
Dr. B 2:15
to be in the house. Yes, and my good brother is Mr. Calvert Williams, and we'll be doing some intros about them and who they are awesome.
Marcus White 2:26
So little bit about Pastor Ron. So Pastor Ron is a Senior Pastor of life change ministries in Las Vegas, Nevada, where he leads the mission of building families and changing lives in Christ the church operates two locations in the area. In addition to his pastoral work, Pastor Ron is an accomplished entrepreneur, author and a businessman. He serves as the president and CEO of WMS insurance and financial services, and co owner of WMS tax services. With over 27 years of experience, he helps individuals and families achieve financial success through expert advice in investment insurance, tax, retirement estate planning and wealth transfer. Man, boy, you doing it faster, right? Is also committed to community impact through life change Outreach Center, which distributed over 365,000 pounds of food in 2024 to 28,000 plus families. He also leads a successful real estate portfolio. Contributes to economic empowerment through speaking engagements and offers business coaching through results driven by our W he's married to Gloria Williams for 30 years, and has three sons and the granddaughter pastor Rob. Boy, you. Man, thank you for coming. We appreciate you.
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 3:44
I'm glad to be here. Man, this is exciting. It's been so wonderful. It's been a wonderful journey this year. And I'm all I'm super excited. Man, I feel like things is about to jump off. Man, we're in a good launch period. Awesome.
Dr. B 3:57
And I would love to introduce Mr. Calvert Williams, a proud member of the Navajo Nation who is deeply rooted in his heritage and traditional practices. His paternal clan is Tom Baha people along the water, and his maternal clans are ashihen, the assault people and to Sony, big water, born and raised on the Navajo reservation. Calvert was influenced by his late grandfather, a traditional practitioner who instilled the importance of prayer and ceremonies from an early age. At age 12, Calvert began participating in traditional ceremonies and peyote ceremonies, learning to use prayer and traditional tools to help others find healing and a better path in life. His grandfather often told him to learn these ways as one day the community would need them. After leaving the military, Calvert focused more on ceremonies, believing they helped people return to positivity by revitalizing. The mind, body and spirit through prayer, songs and protective ceremonies, faith he believes, creates spiritual motion and is a vital part of his cultural practice. His wife is Clara Williams, who I also consider my auntie
Marcus White 5:15
awesome. Welcome brother
Calvert Williams 5:18
COVID. Greatly appreciate you. Good evening that be with you all awesome.
Marcus White 5:22
So 2025 we're in a new year, and as everything every year, you know, I have my new year resolutions. One some people may may say, Okay, I'm going to the gym. Some people may say, okay, you know, I definitely need to do better with my finances. But the biggest part, which I believe is our core, is our spirituality, to me, that that is the core for which everything flows. So questions for both of you is, what does spirituality mean to you personally, and how do you define it? Brother Calvert, okay,
Calvert Williams 5:53
yeah, thank you for having me. First of all, like the way I was introduced. I've been raised on resurrecting here, and we will always infill by fathers. Learn to pray there. There is a spirit. There is a spiritual being in the earth. You go out there and you pray, first of all, to have good health and to have good happiness in your mind, your body, your spirit. In order to have these elements of life, individual, you will be harmony with nature, nature meaning the sacredness of the Mother Earth, the spirituality of the life all the sun and the moon, these spiritual dignities that surround the water, the fire spiritual beings that we pray to uplift our spirit and spiritual way to have that belief that there is a way through our prayers and through our song, through prayer, protectional songs, through through songs. That's how we were raised, and the spirituality part of it was, get up early. Early. Get up. Let go, go outside. Breathe in depth. Air. Run go. Get physically fit, because some day you will need it. That was the most inspiring part of growing up on the reservation where we had no running water and no electricity. And to where today's society did modern homes. At that time, it was a log structure home, and in there, there was still two things within that, within our hog on about the fire, the water, the food, the bedding, the burgers, the leaf. That much I want to say for now,
Marcus White 7:45
awesome, awesome.
Dr. B 7:46
Thank you, brother calvit For that, and I can attest to the importance of getting up early and what that teaching represents within our Navajo community. And now let's segue to our other brother, Calvert, and we would love to have his input on what spirituality means to him.
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 8:10
Wow, that's a really broad term, when you look at it, you know two, two terms to me, spirituality, religion, very broadness, and how you think about and look at it. Because, you know, everybody I believe, we have to realize that we're a trichotomy. In other words, we're body, mind and spirit. So there's a spiritual aspect of every part of us to where now, within and without meaning, we have a spirit that's within us, but we also have the Spirit of God that lives in us. And so now it's a matter of that fight between, who do I want to go with in the spirituality part of my life. Don't want to flow with my own spirit, myself, who I think I am, what I can do or do. I want to flow with God, the Spirit that's in me that he gave me, from the foundation spirituality to me is very, very broad, but however it's is linked well to with religion, and how getting caught in a position now to where it's just something that I always have a saying. I say that religion is something I study. Relationship is something I have. So everybody believes in something. I think it's just a matter of finding out what that belief is in and who it's in.
Dr. B 9:13
Thank you for that. Definitely loving the perspectives from both of you, and it's funny that you're both. Last names are Williams, so I'm just gonna call you the Williams brothers. Brothers.
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 9:23
Let's go baby team Williams. On here, Team Williams.
Dr. B 9:33
So with that, Mr. Calvert, can you and also, actually to both of you, the Williams brothers, starting with Calvert, can you share a spiritual experience that helped to shape your life or your belief?
Calvert Williams 9:55
I believe that through our ways, through the way. Be our elders, the way to pray that in order to seek something good, in order to be in, I guess you could say the competitive world today by saying a prayer, or maybe even making offerings in at a spiritual site that that that can possibly open what year strive for to where it might take for me the military and at a young age people, and want to explore the United States Marine Corps. And I set my mind, and I was told it's up to you on how to come out of your life. So with that, we I prior son, I made my own offense that I want to accomplish my goals, and I went into the military. I got promoted as a meritorious private person boot camp within the six months after I got promoted. I was promoted to Lance Corporal. And just then there was a need for non commitment officers. And within a within two and a half years, I went up to or for and by the third year, I was married towards this, promoted to equal margins. That's my testimony. That's my morning and and one more testimony that I want to share that involves my family. Our oldest son is a two to combat veteran Afghan now, and we he didn't two tours and through prayers and through songs, what we were instilled in us. We went there and he had survived numerous unexpecting explosions and or while it was on duty. So we know, and that is our testimony. I could go on with several. I will leave it at that. And there is way through prayers and how I come to believe that it works. And I believe that in all in all denominations traditional, and we do use peyote way of ceremonies pray, and through the Bible, we will instill that their own destiny, none is a Bucha with that respect. I respect my brother Williams, the way you talk and that, you know, I like that. Thank you. That's
Marcus White 12:25
awesome. And again, thank you and your your son for your service. We greatly appreciate you. I'm your son serving this great country. Brother Williams, same question to you. Yeah, you
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 12:37
know what? I was sitting there thinking as he was talking. I'm like my most spiritual experience came twice in my life. Once is when I got in trouble, when I need the Lord is I need You. Lord, I need you. Because I was a church boy. I grew up in a church. Literally lived in the church. I think we were in church seven days a week. Once I left, I said, I'm out. Deuce. I ran up out of church so quick, but I think it was fire behind me, man, so I got to where I just ran away, and then I got to a place where I got in some trouble. And this actually was in the military, so it's kind of crazy that you were talking about the military. I got in the military got in some trouble, and man, that scripture that came to me was when this, when I got in trouble, I cried out into the Lord. And once I got into that trouble, I, trust me, I cried out. I said, Man, I need your line. And so that spirituality that I grew up in kicked in real quick. And so that was so my first one was, yeah, I got in trouble, and I needed the Lord. You know, it's funny, because we really sometimes, that's when we meet who we are spiritually, sometimes, because we don't realize that there are times in our life that we cannot do it. I can't do it. I have no power here. And then the second one was actually, I was in Israel, I was in Saudi Arabia, and I actually hooked up with some brothers, and they invited me over to their home, and we had paper laid on the ground, and we ate with our hands and just talked. And I don't know why, but that comes to me is it was such a spiritual in touch, like brothers together type thing, that just it did something. You know, they were, of course, Islamic. Is that the word, yeah? I think so, yeah, so. But they were my brothers. And so it didn't matter where I stood. It was that we were all brothers in that moment. And so I love that unity, and it reminded me of Kingdom,
Marcus White 14:22
yeah, yeah. Instead of right to the same way I grew up in church myself, and I, for me, it's like I saw so much, so many things that I did not agree, you know, with church, and that really turned me off. So when I went to college, that was Same thing. Same thing for me, too. I was like, I'm out. But and then, you know, yeah, it's just interesting. So moving on. Next question that I have for brothers Williams is, what role does meditation, prayer or other practices play? Do? Nurturing your spiritual life. And then we'll start with with Pastor Ron. You
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 15:05
know what? That's powerful, because I just came into meditation truly last year. My son really brought me into it. I kind of thought it was Hokey Pokey. And I was like, Man, forget that. You know, I know that don't sound like God, that just don't sound right. And then he walked me through the Bible, actually, and it talks about meditating on the Word meditating, and what God was doing in your life, and taking a moment, pretty much if we take out the word meditation, and just use a time to connect with the Creator in a moment, to just be quiet and get somewhere and not just hear your thoughts, but hear his thoughts. And so I now have a daily mental wellness routine that I do every day that includes meditation, because I believe it gives me an opportunity to get quiet. Because sometimes I don't know, but you guys, but there's a lot of noise and a lot of voices that are out there, and at some point you have to stop drop and just really hear. What is God saying, you know, what is my Creator saying to me that can help me get to whatever I'm getting through? And also to realizing, once again, that without him, I'm nothing. And so I think it brings us to a place of recognizing that we we need those solid places, those quiet places, those places to regroup, refocus and get our lives together. So it's it's been dramatic. Matter of fact, I can say 2024 it changed my life and aspect of being more in tune with the Holy Spirit and allow myself to let Him guide and lead me, because now I can hear more clearly when all the noise was shut off.
Calvert Williams 16:31
Yeah, very deep, right there. Yeah, good, good, good question, and it really expands your your your thought process, but meditate for for us as growing up being, being a young person being told to learn some of these spiritual ways, some of these ceremonies. And it was like, Look at me, look at me. Click in what I tell you, think about it, meditate right here. And this meditation, you will gain these knowledge. You will gain these wisdom, these prayers will come and bound. You will come into your mind and stay in your mind to where nobody else, nobody can come with that that's going to become your reality. So I guess to say that our elders for us to teach that spirituality is important, and to think, to meditation, listen and to just think and meditate on the words that are being said to someone that means some I believe you know that's this that would be our, our way of thinking about meditation. And of course, at that time, at that time, growing up like I said, was no water, running water, no electricity. It was just kerosene lantern sitting there in the dark, no, no, phones, nothing, just No, all that stuff. It was different than as far as learning and how to become spiritual, spiritual minded. Well,
Dr. B 18:14
thank you for that brother, Calvert, I myself, who grew up in the same way that my brother calver did from the spiritual aspect of being from the Navajo Nation in our cultural ways, every time I go back to the res and sit in ceremony, that's a time that I sit there and reflect as I listen to the songs and prayer, definitely in deep meditation mode about my life path and decisions and the way I want to go. So it's just a fantastic mind space to be in when you can sit there and really give yourself that time to dedicate to your spiritual reflections. So now our final question to you both is, what advice would you give someone who feels disconnected from their spiritual path or is questioning their beliefs? And I'll start with you, Pastor. You
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 19:10
know, that's a good question. I think the hardest part is realizing, according to the Word of God, it says God would never leave us nor forsake us. So no matter where we're at, the Bible says we make our bed in hell, he'll be there with us. And so I think the comfort for me and even salvation itself, is like I don't have to do life myself. I think the hardest thing in life is realizing that I don't got to carry the weight of the world on my shoulders. I have a creator. I have someone that I can lean on. I have someone I can go to that now I no longer have to bear the burdens of everything that's going on in my life. And so there's a point to where we have to now submit to a higher power, submit to God, to know that he's in charge. And there are things in my life that I cannot and will not have control over, and once I release those things to him, it changes everything for me. It's. I think it matter of fact, one of the big things about salvation to me was just, I know I don't have to do this by myself, man. And so for those that are out there that are struggling, I would say, just know you need to know that you don't got this. I think that's one of the words that I used to use a lot. I got this. I got this. But I'm learning in life, I don't got this. I throw my hands up sometimes and say, Lord, help me, and somebody is out there listening, it's okay to need help, especially my strong people, because when strong people, it's hard to reach out and realize that I don't have to carry everything. I have to do everything. I have to help everybody. Because who helps the strong people if they've helped everybody else? So I thank God for God being God, someone I can lean on, someone I can rest in to know that he got me. Man, no matter what, matter of fact, the crazy part is, no matter what I'm doing, good, bad and different, God's love is is unchangeable. It doesn't factor in who and what I've become because of life and everything that's happened. He, he's the one constant, one consistent in my life, that no matter what, I know I can run to him and I know I'll be safe. So if that's you out there today, I want you to know that God loves you, Jesus loves you, and he will be there for you no matter what. He died, that you might have life, and that life more abundantly. So run to him and watch God change your life. That's awesome. Brother. Brother Calvert,
Calvert Williams 21:18
yeah, that's, that's, good. I like that. I believe that in eight younger generation, those of you have been listening, if you ordinary intervention or spiritual guidance, because that's the only way that you can overcome some of these negative lives, these negative gestures. And there's a time, there's a time for from ours, and now we have a whole way of people with food that would have a mind about the spirit. You can control your life with your mind so so long and at the same time with your body physical activities, you can be strong mind, body, but there's going to be a time to say your soul is going to come into character something for yourself. That meaning would be when you have a dream, when you have a bad dream, your soul is healthy to do something. That's when this reality will come in. Believe it, believe it. It will help you. It will and that's what I'm to understand of all several years that we've been praying for human life, for for for, for the state that they come and let make the best of life. Someone leave some just negativity alone. No, do. Do while you're young, learn while you're young. Do for yourself. Nobody else. Do for your family. You have to take care of them, these worlds, so, so, so bad. Watch over them. I guess that would be my advice to those seek help, seeking a spirit for advice, and the same way for us, for me, for me to come to understand our traditional ways and our priority way of worshiping and using this Holy Sacrament, and and and believing in the Bible, they're all the Same. You see, through one of them, it will help you. Thank you. Thank you
Marcus White 23:24
both so much. This was a very enlightening and I and I pray someone out there who's listening, I would definitely take heed to to both of the wisdom that you, you both share with us today.
Dr. B 23:35
I agree. Thank you both so much and just thank you for who you are and what you do to help our people, our communities, to stay strong, to continue to sustain the faith, because we all need it. We're all human, and I just value the faith aspect of what it can do for us and help us, all of us. Thank you for that. I think just understanding our history, about our Native American spirituality, as I was telling my brother, the pastor here, that we as Native Americans have been through so many things to sustain our culture and our spiritual elements of who we are. Everything that could have been done to us, to rip this piece of us apart and away from us, has been done but for us to keep our spirituality and our associated practices after hundreds and hundreds and hundreds and hundreds of years, and going through all of the historical oppression, I take a lot of pride in how I grew up and sustaining my culture and going to ceremony and so for my brother, Mr. Calvert Williams, to learn and. And to continue to help our communities and support our communities. Actually, my my brother Calvert learned some of his practices from my late maternal grandfather, Justin Lewis. So it's been passed down from my great maternal or from sorry, from my maternal grandfather to him, so it's definitely something we need to continue to pass on. It's a powerful
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 25:26
lineage. I'm looking at it, and I'm just looking at you and thinking about what you're saying. That's Wow. It's like you're standing on the shoulders of greatness, and it's your mission to carry on the torch and to be that next. And thank you for being next. Stay the course and watch God just do some amazing things.
Dr. B 25:44
Thank you. I appreciate that, especially from spiritual leaders like yourself. You have no idea how vital you are to everyday people, and so you're you're definitely needed, and I'm sure your community just values you and who you are and what you bring to them. Thank you
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 26:04
so much for saying that. But I honestly say, you know, I to me the way that we honor God is by serving his people and doing our best to uplift, undergird and I don't know, man, I want to live this life to the point to where, when I'm done, I've served people, and I please God by serving his people. And so me it's an honor and to just be a part of people's lives. And I think my greatest excitement is seeing when people just take what God has given them, and it explodes. And so just keep doing what you're doing. I could see the glow is on you, but just knowing that just rest and knowing that it's all going to be all right, everything's going to be all right. And just keep going forward and watch God just do some great and amazing things.
Dr. B 26:46
Thank you. I truly appreciate this great conversation, definitely.
Marcus White 26:50
Man. It's like I've random. I've been running away from mine. I knew as a kid, you know, gifted and blessed and you know, and especially in this spiritual side. But I've, I've ran away, and last year was another year that I was like, Okay, God, you know, I need help. Like, I really need some help. And it's like, how, how can I, you know, get connected? And then once I'm connected, how can I stay connected? And so Teva is the one that invited me to go to life, change ministries, and then I just been going ever since. I know my spirit is happy and I know I have purpose, and so now that's the next step. Okay, what is the purpose? But I know I've always had the heart for people so but no, I think this was a great conversation to start off. 2025 and and as you said on Sunday, launch, launch into something new. And I'm definitely excited for the journey like so next month, we're going to be in New Orleans. Wow. Little information about New Orleans?
Dr. B 27:56
Yes. So my nonprofit, United natives will be hosting our United native sports gala and also our women in sports cocktail panel hour. And we are just celebrating not only indigenous representation of our native community, athletes and tribal leaders and all our tribal communities, but also we're celebrating what sports brings, in unison. And so we're hosting our sports Gala. We're gonna have so many dope people come. We're talking about former and current professional athletes. Talk about entertainers like Eric B from Eric B and rock Kim, like the tribal leaders. I mean, we have this dope
Pastor Ron Williams Jr. 28:48
I'm old school. You down my rope. I haven't saved all my life.
Dr. B 28:58
We just have a dope array of our guest list from all sectors, and so we're just, if you're out in New Orleans, we really love for you to come at the local level. Come join us if you want to travel, and you're good that we welcome all people to our event, and it's for a great cause. And what's the cause? The cause is to address the mental health and just to promote mental health and well being in our communities.
Marcus White 29:31
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